What it's about: The gift of a tiny white horse changes a little girl's life, but as the horse grows larger -- and sprouts wings -- the girl realizes her friend is destined for bigger adventures than just being a pet.

Who it's for: kids who can settle in for a quietly magical readaloud, complete with luminous, watercolor-washed illustrations.

What it is: a readaloud-ready guessing game for little zoologists. Cut-paper illustrations and hints about the habitat, diet, and behaviors of seven different animals present readers with age-appropriate clues to puzzle over before each animal's identity is revealed.

Don't miss: the extra animal facts on the final pages.

Kids might also like: My First Day, Creature Features, and the many other inventive nonfiction animal books by Robin Page and Steve Jenkins.

What it's about: When Mama, Papa, and Baby pirate row ashore, lonely Goldenlocks sneaks on board to season Mama's lackluster gruel, repair Baby's rickety stool, and generally prove her handiness. But will the fierce pirate family be happy with her improvements?

Kids might also like: Steve Light's Swap! for another clever ship-repairing kid, or Mo Willems' Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs for another goofy fairy tale reboot.

What it is: a rhyming, cheerful compendium of everyday activities for children to do with a friend, sibling, or parent. Colorful cartoons depict a diverse array of characters trying such pastimes as making mud pies, writing secret codes, eating ice cream, and misbehaving (just a little).

What it's about: When Little Bear follows a bee into a fancy French opera house, Papa Bear takes off after the cub, resulting in a chandelier-rattling climax and a highly unusual solo.

Series alert: Kids who relish finding the hidden pictures within this book's intricate, bustling illustrations should be sure to check out Little Bear's continuing adventures in The Bear's Sea Escape and The Bear's Surprise.

What it's about: Outside the Hope family's ramshackle house sits a big black dog, and it's getting bigger every time someone looks outside! Frightened, the family hides -- except for Small. Bravely stepping up, Small taunts the colossal dog into chasing her, leading to an unexpected conclusion.

What it is: An unconventional alphabet book that introduces letters through a high-speed, slapstick dog-and-mouse chase. Visual humor abounds in the energetic illustrations, making the story suitable for readalouds or one-on-one sharing.